Water air land tracks baggage identification locator computer product and methods

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a kit for travelers comprising at least one document holder having at least one pocket for storage of travel related documents; said document holder having a luggage identifier code dispose thereon and readily visible; at least one tamper proof mechanism for securing luggage access to avoid tampering; and one or more luggage tags, wherein the luggage tags, the document holder, the tamper proof mechanism each have a substantially similar indicia disposed thereupon providing a visual means for associating the items together.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.12/008,614, filed Jan. 10, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to travel related accessories,and more particularly to a method, apparatus and kit for providing amore reliable means of locating luggage easily while traveling and moreparticularly to reducing the risk of loss of luggage by pairing luggageand a traveler by an easy to identify indicia and identity information.

It is estimated that lost luggage in the travel industry is about 20million pieces per year. Recently the U.S. Department of transportationreported that the problem of lost luggage was growing. Figures forFebruary 2007 have reached a staggering 366,000 pieces of lost luggage.These losses have increased in spite of technological advance in thetravel industry. These technological advances, such as bar coding,provide for more reliable baggage handling, however they remove a morepractical human interaction with regards to locating luggage andensuring that all the luggage for a single passenger remains together.

In one approach to securing a person's belongings, Casper disclosed anunder cover security wallet. This three portion portfolio system allowsthe traveler to organize and hold travel documents and keep them closeto his person. The fist portion is connected as a flap member to thesecond portion, with pockets on both the inside and outside of eachportion. The third hinge portion consists of several pockets, included atransparent exterior pocket. There are individual pockets sized forreceiving information cards, currency, business cards, credit cards, acalculator and airline tickets.

Another approach according to Grimsley is a travel kit with a foldablemulti-panel base allowing for a multi-page insert to be secured to oneof two fold lines. The insert contains overlapping panels with pocketsthat are capable of holding items such as documents, passports, paperand coin currency, maps and credit cards. The travel kit is designed tobe carried on the traveler's person.

Yet another approach according to Carp is a combination carrying caseand article organizer. The article organizer consists of several sidesthat contain pockets for storing a multitude of personal documents anditems. The sides are attached to a central upright side. The organizercan be folded in on itself and fastened closed with the fasteners on theside flaps. The organizer then fits inside the outer, larger carryingcase, such as a wallet would fit into a handbag.

In another approach according to Carp, a combination carry-on luggagebag with tote bag and clutch bag is described. This combination includesfour pieces. First, there is a small cocoon purse which fits inside alarger clutch bag. The clutch and cocoon bags may then be placed insideof the larger tote bag which all fits inside of the larger outercarry-on bag.

The travel products described above all offer ways in which to secure aperson's documents by providing a wallet-type document holder and outertravel bags that can be carried on the traveler's person. However, theseprior inventions fail to address the issue of securing travelers'possessions once they have been checked into the compartment of a planeor train or other separate area that is not within the traveler'simmediate control.

As such, what is needed is a more convenient means for locating pairedluggage and for rapidly identifying luggage associated with a passenger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a kit for travelers comprising at least one documentholder having at least one pocket for storage of travel relateddocuments; said document holder having a luggage identifier code disposethereon and readily visible; at least one tamper proof mechanism forsecuring luggage access to avoid tampering; and one or more luggagetags, wherein the luggage tags, the document holder, the tamper proofmechanism each have a substantially similar indicia disposed thereuponproviding a visual means for associating the items together.

In one embodiment, a baggage identification locator apparatus fortravelers comprises at least one document holder having at least onepocket for storage of travel related documents; said document holderhaving a luggage identifier code disposed thereon and readily visible;at least one tamper proof fastener for securing luggage access to avoidtampering; and one or more luggage tags, wherein the luggage tags, thedocument holder, the tamper proof fastener each have a substantiallysimilar indicia disposed thereupon providing a visual means forassociating the items together.

In certain aspects, the apparatus further comprises substantiallysimilar indicia imprinted onto the document holder.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises indicia utilizingeasily recognizable characters associated with one or more travelprofiles.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises indicia utilizingeasily recognizable characters associated with one or more travelprofiles wherein the travel profile includes at least one luggageidentifier code, at least one associated traveler indicia, and one ormore sets of personalized attributes.

A method for identifying luggage comprises the following steps in anyorder: attaching one or more luggage tags with a predetermined uniqueindicia to each item of luggage; associating said luggage tagsphysically to each item of luggage by having a similar image orcomplementary shape such that a person can easily recognize theassociated luggage; associating one or more traveler indicia with one ormore sets of personalized attributes; associating said one or moretravel attributes personalized with a travel profile; and associatingsaid luggage tags with a travel profile.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises providing one ormore tamper proof fasteners to the one or more luggage tags; associatingsaid one or more tamper proof fasteners to one or more closedcompartments of said items of luggage; providing one or more wire tiesupport loops for indication that said items of luggage have beenopened; and severing said wire tie loop to indicate that the luggage hasbeen opened.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises providing one ormore tamper proof fasteners to the one or more luggage tags; associatingsaid one or more tamper proof fasteners to one or more closedcompartments of said items of luggage; providing one or more wire tiesupport loops for indication that said items of luggage have beenopened; and severing said wire tie loop to indicate that the luggage hasbeen opened wherein said luggage tags comprise one or more componentpieces that fit together into a single, one piece tag.

In certain aspects, the method further comprises associating said one ormore component pieces to said one or more items of luggage to form acommon set of traveler indicia; and associating said common set oftraveler indicia to one or more traveler profiles.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises providing one ormore tamper proof fasteners to the one or more luggage tags; associatingsaid one or more tamper proof fasteners to one or more closedcompartments of said items of luggage; providing one or more wire tiesupport loops for indication that said items of luggage have beenopened; and severing said wire tie loop to indicate that the luggage hasbeen opened wherein said one or more component pieces fit together via asnapping mechanical interference fit locking process.

In certain aspects, the common set of traveler indicia may be matchingcolors. In other aspects, the common set of traveler indicia may bematching images. In certain aspects, the luggage tags may be selectedfrom a group consisting of plastic, acrylic, vinyl, and composite resinmaterial.

In another embodiment, one or more component pieces fit together via ahook and loop construction.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises providing a locatorcode associating with one or more common set of traveler indicia;providing a matching identification security checkpoint authorizationmeans for a traveler; and matching said authorization means with atraveler profile and a common set traveler indicia.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however,together with additional objectives and advantages thereof will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one aspect of the current invention, a front view ofa holder for travel related documents.

FIG. 2 illustrates another aspect of the current invention, a rear viewof a holder for travel related documents.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front and back view of the front flap which coversa holder for travel related documents.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front and back view of the back flap which covers aholder for travel related documents.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a second aspect of the currentinvention, a tamper proof mechanism.

FIG. 6 illustrates interlocking multipart luggage tags with indicia.

FIG. 7 illustrates another aspect of this embodiment showing luggagetags fitted together with the writing space on the back of them.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for associating a traveler's luggage withthe traveler's profile using personalized indicia presented on theluggage tags.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for indicating whether a traveler's luggagehas been opened.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for associating personalized indicialuggage tag components.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for associating locator codes withcorresponding passengers.

FIG. 17 shows a block diagram illustrating components of an exemplaryoperating environment.

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary computer system, in which variousembodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below tosimplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examplesand are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosuremay repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples.This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and doesnot in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodimentsand/or configurations discussed.

The embodiments of the enclosed invention introduce new systems andmethods for providing baggage identification and location. In oneembodiment, instructions provide a baggage identification locator systemfor a traveler by associating one or more indicia with a one or moretravel profiles and luggage tags. The instructions include one or moremodules communicating directly with a baggage identification locatorcomputer module that provides locator and matching security checkpointauthorization services to an associated indicia and traveler profile.

Exemplary Operating Environments, Components, and Technology FIG. 17 isa block diagram illustrating components of an exemplary operatingenvironment in which various embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented. The system 1700 can include one or more user computers,computing devices, or processing devices 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718, whichcan be used to operate a client, such as a dedicated application, webbrowser, etc. The user computers 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718 can be generalpurpose personal computers (including, merely by way of example,personal computers and/or laptop computers running a standard operatingsystem), cell phones or PDAs (running mobile software and beingInternet, e-mail, SMS, Blackberry, or other communication protocolenabled), and/or workstation computers running any of a variety ofcommercially-available UNIX or UNIX-like operating systems (includingwithout limitation, the variety of GNU/Linux operating systems). Theseuser computers 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718 may also have any of a variety ofapplications, including one or more development systems, database clientand/or server applications, and Web browser applications. Alternatively,the user computers 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718 may be any other electronicdevice, such as a thin-client computer, Internet-enabled gaming system,and/or personal messaging device, capable of communicating via a network(e.g., the network 1710 described below) and/or displaying andnavigating Web pages or other types of electronic documents. Althoughthe exemplary system 1700 is shown with four user computers, any numberof user computers may be supported.

In most embodiments, the system 1700 includes some type of network 1710.The network may can be any type of network familiar to those skilled inthe art that can support data communications using any of a variety ofcommercially-available protocols, including without limitation TCP/IP,SNA, IPX, AppleTalk, and the like. Merely by way of example, the network1710 can be a local area network (“LAN”), such as an Ethernet network, aToken-Ring network and/or the like; a wide-area network; a virtualnetwork, including without limitation a virtual private network (“VPN”);the Internet; an intranet; an extranet; a public switched telephonenetwork (“PSTN”); an infra-red network; a wireless network (e.g., anetwork operating under any of the IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, GRPS,GSM, UMTS, EDGE, 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G, Wimax, WiFi, CDMA 2000, WCDMA, theBluetooth protocol known in the art, and/or any other wirelessprotocol); and/or any combination of these and/or other networks.

The system may also include one or more server computers 1702, 1704,1706 which can be general purpose computers, specialized servercomputers (including, merely by way of example, PC servers, UNIXservers, mid-range servers, mainframe computers rack-mounted servers,etc.), server farms, server clusters, or any other appropriatearrangement and/or combination. One or more of the servers (e.g., 1706)may be dedicated to running applications, such as a businessapplication, a Web server, application server, etc. Such servers may beused to process requests from user computers 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718. Theapplications can also include any number of applications for controllingaccess to resources of the servers 1702, 1704, 1706.

The Web server can be running an operating system including any of thosediscussed above, as well as any commercially-available server operatingsystems. The Web server can also run any of a variety of serverapplications and/or mid-tier applications, including HTTP servers, FTPservers, CGI servers, database servers, Java servers, businessapplications, and the like. The server(s) also may be one or morecomputers which can be capable of executing programs or scripts inresponse to the user computers 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718. As one example, aserver may execute one or more Web applications. The Web application maybe implemented as one or more scripts or programs written in anyprogramming language, such as Java®, C, C# or C++, and/or any scriptinglanguage, such as Perl, Python, or TCL, as well as combinations of anyprogramming/scripting languages. The server(s) may also include databaseservers, including without limitation those commercially available fromOracle®, Microsoft®, Sybase®, IBM® and the like, which can processrequests from database clients running on a user computer 1712, 1714,1716, 1718.

The system 1700 may also include one or more databases 1720. Thedatabase(s) 1720 may reside in a variety of locations. By way ofexample, a database 1720 may reside on a storage medium local to (and/orresident in) one or more of the computers 1702, 1704, 1706, 1712, 1714,1716, 1718. Alternatively, it may be remote from any or all of thecomputers 1702, 1704, 1706, 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718, and/or incommunication (e.g., via the network 1710) with one or more of these. Ina particular set of embodiments, the database 1720 may reside in astorage-area network (“SAN”) familiar to those skilled in the art.Similarly, any necessary files for performing the functions attributedto the computers 1702, 1704, 1706, 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718 may be storedlocally on the respective computer and/or remotely, as appropriate. Inone set of embodiments, the database 1720 may be a relational database,such as Oracle 10g, that is adapted to store, update, and retrieve datain response to SQL-formatted commands.

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary computer system 1800, in which variousembodiments of the present invention may be implemented. The system 1800may be used to implement any of the computer systems described above.The computer system 1800 is shown comprising hardware elements that maybe electrically coupled via a bus 1824. The hardware elements mayinclude one or more central processing units (CPUs) 1802, one or moreinput devices 1804 (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard, etc.), and one or moreoutput devices 1806 (e.g., a display device, a printer, etc.). Thecomputer system 1800 may also include one or more storage devices 1808.By way of example, the storage device(s) 1808 can include devices suchas disk drives, optical storage devices, solid-state storage device suchas a random access memory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”),which can be programmable, flash-updateable and/or the like.

The computer system 1800 may additionally include a computer-readablestorage media reader 1812, a communications system 1814 (e.g., a modem,a network card (wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device,etc.), and working memory 1818, which may include RAM and ROM devices asdescribed above. In some embodiments, the computer system 1800 may alsoinclude a processing acceleration unit 1816, which can include a digitalsignal processor DSP, a special-purpose processor, and/or the like.

The computer-readable storage media reader 1812 can further be connectedto a computer-readable storage medium 1810, together (and, optionally,in combination with storage device(s) 1808) comprehensively representingremote, local, fixed, and/or removable storage devices plus storagemedia for temporarily and/or more permanently containing, storing,transmitting, and retrieving computer-readable information. Thecommunications system 1814 may permit data to be exchanged with thenetwork and/or any other computer described above with respect to thesystem 1800.

The computer system 1800 may also comprise software elements, shown asbeing currently located within a working memory 1818, including anoperating system 1820 and/or other code 1822, such as an applicationprogram (which may be a client application, Web browser, mid-tierapplication, RDBMS, etc.). It should be appreciated that alternateembodiments of a computer system 1800 may have numerous variations fromthat described above. For example, customized hardware might also beused and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware,software (including portable software, such as applets), or both.Further, connection to other computing devices such as networkinput/output devices may be employed.

Storage media and computer readable media for containing code, orportions of code, can include any appropriate media known or used in theart, including storage media and communication media, such as but notlimited to volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage and/or transmissionof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data, including RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memoryor other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) orother optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, data signals, datatransmissions, or any other medium which can be used to store ortransmit the desired information and which can be accessed by thecomputer. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, aperson of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate.

FIG. 1 illustrates one aspect of the current invention, a front view ofa holder apparatus for travel related documents 100. The holder 100 isformed about a central sheet 102, typically rectangular in shape and maybe fabricated from a combination of leather and clear plastic or vinylor acrylic, or any other similar combination of materials to provide thesupport needed and, where appropriate, a clear material for seeingdocuments contained therein. The holder apparatus 100 is comprised ofnonmetallic parts allowing for easy passage through metal detectors. Thecentral sheet 102 should be sufficiently rigid to allow the holder 100to maintain its relative shape and to permit easy insertion andretrieval of travel credentials. A top portion of the central sheet 102may have a reinforcement region 104 with cutouts 106 and 107 with metalrings 108 and 109 for attaching a carrying strap or lanyard 110 thereto.The lanyard 110 allows the traveler to wear the holder about their neckor shoulder. Optionally, a reinforcement region 104 may be used toattach a reel-style clip or belt clip such that the clip permits theholder to be attached to the traveler's clothing. After having reviewedthe disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand thatthe holder can be “worn” by the traveler in a variety of ways. Forexample, the clip mechanism can be directly connected to the traveler'sclothing, duffle bag, purse handle, etc.

A first pocket 112 may be similar in shape to the central sheet 102 andsized to receive a document such as a passport. The first pocket 112 maybe attached to the central sheet 102 by any number of standard methodssuch as thermal bonding, adhesive, rivets, press molding, or sewn. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the first pocket 112 is press molded to thecentral sheet 102 along two elongated sides 114 and one shorter side 116to create a border region 118. A first pocket opening 120 for theinsertion or retrieval of travel credentials is disposed parallel toside 116. The first pocket 112 may be fabricated from clear plastic,vinyl, acrylic, or any other similar clear material that allows theimportant document information to be visible through the first pocket112.

As further seen in FIG. 1, additional pockets of varying sizes may belayered onto the first pocket 112 or disposed alongside the first pocket112. For example, a second pocket 122 may be formed alongside the firstpocket 112 and sized for receiving and securing a document such as amedical emergency card. Further, a third pocket 124 may then be formedand sized for receiving and securing a document such as a driver'slicense. A back side of the back cover flap 130 secures the holderassembly. The applicants appreciates that each pocket opening may beclosed by a variety of fastening means such as a zipper, button, Velcrotab, snaps, etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates another aspect of the current invention, a rear viewof a holder apparatus for travel related documents 200. A top portion ofthe holder 200 may have cutouts 206 and 207 for attaching a carryingstrap or lanyard thereto. Another portion of the holder 200 has areinforcement region forming a utility pocket 212 said pocket beingsealable and accessible by use of a zipper 218 or other enclosure meanssuch as VELCRO, snaps or buttons. The utility pocket may be formed fromplastic, vinyl or other clear or opaque or some combination thereof. Anadditional pocket 214 may also be formed in the same manner as theutility pocket 212 for storage of utility items such as jewelry whichneeds to be removed when traveling through an airport metal detector.This provides the traveler with an easy place to store valuables withouthaving to place them in plastic tubs for scanning at airports. Thepocket 214 being sealable and accessible by use of a zipper 228 or otherenclosure means such as a hook and loop fastener such as VELCRO, snapsor buttons. Two additional pockets 224 and 226 are provided for storageof footwear to be worn while traveling through security area. Thisallows convenient access to protective footwear while shoes are beingscanned by security personnel. The two additional pockets 224 and 226are formed in a manner similar to the utility pocket 212 and aresealable and accessible by use of zippers 231 and 232 respectively orother enclosure means such as VELCRO, snaps or buttons.

The side of the holder apparatus 200 has graphical indicia 220 foridentification of the holder 200 with additional baggage. The indiciamay be any means imprinted or impressed into the holder 200 to providefor a visually recognizable image. The indicia 220 may be any image,graphic or logo that may be visually associated with other items andbaggage carried by the traveler. The inventors anticipate using easilyrecognizable characters such as animals and plants; however otherimages, including personalized images may also effectuate the invention.The indicia may also be effectuated through simple matching colors orcolor patterns such as a rainbow. The indicia could also be of well knowanimal characters or easily recognizable landmarks. It would be in thespirit of this invention to utilize it by creating and employing iconsand images that would appeal to travelers as well. More stylized indiciacould be employed such as images or names of fictional characters orreal people. This might allow others to identify a face or characterwith the holder 200 or associated baggage. Also, one having skill in theart could effectuate the same result by placing the indicia 416 on thebackside of the back flap 430.

FIG. 2 also illustrates a luggage identifier code (LIC) 222. The LIC 222includes a unique identification number comprising of numeric,alphabetic or alphanumeric characters along with a telephone number.Along with the LIC is a telephone number 223. The LIC 222 and telephonenumber are disposed on the holder 200 such that the LIC 222 andtelephone number 223 are visibly separated by being disposed in acolored region 225 said colored being brighter than the surroundingmaterial such that the eye is drawn to the LIC 222 and telephone number223. In certain aspects, the system utilizes common security colors suchas red or orange. In the event the holder apparatus 200 is lost, one caneasily call the telephone number 223 displayed and use the LIC 222 tocontact the rightful owner. Alternatively, a luggage locating service,system and computer implemented method may be employed to effectuate thesame result utilizing exemplary operating environments, components, andtechnology as outlined above and shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. In yetanother embodiment, a luggage locator service would be accessiblethrough a toll-free telephone number and would associate the LIC 222 tothe rightful owner and may arrange for luggage transportation ifrequired. FIG. 230 is the back cover.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be constructed to form a front andone or more rear flaps of a single holder assembly FIG. 3 and FIG. 4respectively. The holder assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 are enclosed in a setof flaps FIGS. 3 and 4 such that the set of flaps covers the holderassembly and provides for an attractive appearance. The disclosed flapsare constructed of leather, simulated leather, or other suitablematerial to present a pleasing appearance when worn. The flaps areattached with a hook 340 and a loop 440 fastener such as VELCRO;however, other fastening means may be used to effectuate the sameresult. One having skill in the art will appreciate that back flap 400combined with the front flap 300 may be made from a variety ofattractive and decorative materials.

FIG. 3 illustrates the front side 320 and the back side 330 of the frontflap 300 which covers the holder assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2. A topportion of the flap may have cutouts 306 and 307 for attaching acarrying strap or lanyard thereto. A bottom portion of the front side320 of the front flap 300 has a receiving end of the closing mechanism340 (Describe that button?)

FIG. 4 illustrates the inside part 430 and the outside part 420 of theback flap 400. A top portion of the flap may have cutouts 406 and 407for attaching a carrying strap or lanyard thereto. A bottom portion ofthe outside part 420 of the flap 400 may have a part of the closingmechanism which could be made of a button 440 which is attached to astripe 450, which would wrap around the holder assembly to allow thebutton 440 to fit into the opening 340 to secure the holder assembly.The inside portion 430 of the back flap has identifying features toprovide for the easier identification. In addition to the indicia 416the luggage identifier code (LIC) 423 and the telephone number (422)could be placed on the inside of the back flap to allow for an easy andquick identification in case an item gets lost.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structureor characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referringto the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure orcharacteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it issubmitted that it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill inthe art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic inconnection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.Parts of the description are presented using terminology commonlyemployed by those of ordinary skill in the art to convey the substanceof their work to others of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a second aspect of the currentinvention, a tamper proof mechanism 500. The tamper proof tag mechanism500 is designed to indicate if someone has breached the security of theluggage. They are attached to closed compartments during travel. Byproviding an indication that someone has opened the luggage they act toavoid pilfering of property from the luggage. In FIG. 5 a holder 510having indicia 512 matching other indicia described above, is composedof plastic, vinyl or other nonmetallic material suitable for supportingthe indicia 512 and for supporting a loop 514. Through the loop isinserted a wire tie 516, said wire tie 516 being used to securelyfastened closed openings on luggage. In operation for the luggage to beopened the wire tie must be severed and the tamper proof mechanism 500removed thus indicating that the luggage has been opened. In the eventauthorized security opens the luggage, a written notice is usuallyemployed, so that if a written notice is not received, one may have anindication the luggage has been tampered with.

One having skill in the art will appreciate that other security devicesmay be used in place of the wire tie to effectuate the same result. Thislist includes but is not limited to medical patient bracelets andcolored concert security bracelets which act to prevent removal withoutdestroying the bracelet itself. Additionally the indicia 512 acts toindicate visually the owner of the luggage by providing a visualindication of the associated luggage and any associated holder FIG. 1 orFIG. 2 described above.

FIG. 6 illustrates interlocking multipart luggage tags 600 with indicia616, 618, and 620. The tags 600 are designed to share a common indiciasuch that one can easily distinguish the luggage marked with these tagsas being associated as part of a same set. Various shapes withinterlocking pieces such as squares (A), triangles (B), circles (C),hexagons (D) and star (E) shapes may be employed in this embodiment. Theindicia 616, 618, and 620 would be selected to match the indiciadescribed above such that it provides an easy way to recognizeassociation between every item tagged with the luggage tags 600. Theindicia 616, 618, and 620 may be any means imprinted or impressed intothe tags 400 to provide for a visually recognizable image. The indicia616, 618, and 620 may be any image, graphic or logo that may be visuallyassociated with other items and baggage carried by the traveler. Theinventors anticipate using easily recognizable characters such asanimals and plants; however other images, including personalized imagesmay also effectuate the invention. The indicia 616, 618, 620 may also beeffectuated through simple matching colors or color patterns such as arainbow. The indicia 616, 618, and 620 could also be of well know animalcharacters or easily recognizable landmarks. It would be in the spiritof this invention to utilize it by creating and employing icons andimages that would appeal to travelers as well. More stylized indicia616, 618, and 620 could be employed such as images or names of fictionalcharacters or real people. This might allow others to identify a face orcharacter with the tags on associated baggage.

Luggage tags 400 may be constructed form plastic, acrylic, vinyl or anyother suitable material capable of having the indicia 616, 618, and 620disposed thereon.

FIG. 7 illustrates another aspect of this embodiment showing luggagetags fitted together. The tags described in previous embodiments mayalso fit together as puzzle pieces such that one can easily see thenumber of luggage items associated together by putting the puzzletogether. For example, a puzzle that appears complete with only twopieces would indicate to a user that there are only two luggage itemsassociated. In FIG. 7, three tags 710, 712 and 714 are fitted togetheras a puzzle with each tag having indicia 716, 718 and 720 respectively.Tags may snap together using any number of common locking schemes or ahook and loop construction. Referring back to FIG. 5, the unique shapeof the tags 510, 512 and 514 provide a visual indication of the numberof luggage items while the indicia 516, 518 and 520 provide a visualindication of the associated luggage.

The reverse side of a tag is a name tag having a space to entertraveler's name 522, 526, 528 and contact telephone number 524, 528, and526.

FIG. 6 illustrates the front side of the both front and back covers withcutouts 606 and 607.

FIG. 7 illustrates the back side of the both front and back covers withcutouts 706 and 707. FIG. 730 is the back side of the back cover. FIG.720 illustrates graphic indicia for easy identification. FIGS. 722 and723 illustrate space where further identification can be written subjectto the fields and record requirements of the program code instructionsof the exemplary embodiments.

Now referring further to FIG. 7, the luggage tag (A) may be constructedform plastic, acrylic, vinyl or any other suitable material capable ofhaving the indicia disposed thereon. The reverse side of the luggage tagis a name tag (B) having a space to enter a traveler's name 522 andcontact telephone number 524.

One of the many unique features of the current disclosure is that byplacing similar indicia on the differing aspects of the currentdisclosure, a traveler has increased the visibility of their luggage andhas provided for a visual linking such that even untrained users mayidentify and associate luggage form a single traveler together. Thisreduces the risk of lost luggage and provides an easy means for atraveler to locate their luggage on a luggage carousel or similar devicefor presenting luggage to a traveler. Security requirements often entailthe traveler displaying a boarding pass and photo identification at thecurbside check-in, ticket counter, security checkpoints, boarding gateor other areas. With the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a traveler simplyhas to “wear” the disclosed embodiment to readily display the requesteddocumentation including data printed from an exemplary operating systemand program code providing instructions to perform the method stepsdescribed herein. The present disclosure eliminates the hassle ofsearching through bags, purses, etc. at various travel destinations.Additionally the graphical indicia and locator code provide an easy wayat a security check point to locate items that belong to the travelerbecause the indicia on the holder will match the indicia on the luggagetags and name tags.

According to one embodiment, each user system and all of its componentsare operator configurable using applications, such as a browser,including computer code run using a central processing unit such as anIntel Pentium® processor or the like. Similarly, System (and additionalinstances of an MTS, where more than one is present) and all of theircomponents might be operator configurable using application(s) includingcomputer code run using a central processing unit such as an IntelPentium® processor or the like, or multiple processor units. A computerprogram product aspect includes a machine-readable storage medium(media) having instructions stored thereon/in which can be used toprogram a computer to perform any of the processes of the embodimentsdescribed herein. Computer code for operating and configuring System 16to intercommunicate and to process web pages, applications and otherdata and media content as described herein is preferably downloaded andstored on a hard disk, but the entire program code, or portions thereof,may also be stored in any other volatile or non-volatile memory mediumor device as is well known, such as a ROM or RAM, or provided on anymedia capable of storing program code, such as any type of rotatingmedia including floppy disks, optical discs, digital versatile disk(DVD), compact disk (CD), microdrive, and magneto-optical disks, andmagnetic or optical cards, nanosystems (including molecular memory ICs),or any type of media or device suitable for storing instructions and/ordata. Additionally, the entire program code, or portions thereof, may betransmitted and downloaded from a software source over a transmissionmedium, e.g., over the Internet, or from another server, as is wellknown, or transmitted over any other conventional network connection asis well known (e.g., extranet, VPN, LAN, etc.) using any communicationmedium and protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, Ethernet, etc.) as arewell known. It will also be appreciated that computer code forimplementing aspects of the present invention can be implemented in anyprogramming language that can be executed on a client system and/orserver or server system such as, for example, in C, C++, HTML, any othermarkup language, Java™, JavaScript, ActiveX, any other scriptinglanguage such as VBScript, and many other programming languages as arewell known. (Java™ is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.).

As discussed above, embodiments are suitable for use with the Internet,which refers to a specific global internetwork of networks. However, itshould be understood that other networks can be used instead of theInternet, such as an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network(VPN), a non-TCP/IP based network, any LAN or WAN or the like.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for associating a traveler's luggage withthe traveler's profile using personalized indicia presented on theluggage tags 800. The traveler can choose easily recognizablepersonalized indicia 810, which can be applied to the luggage tags. Theindicia are associated with the traveler's travel profile 820, 830. Theluggage tags containing the personalized indicia associated with atravel profile can then be physically attached to the luggage 800.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for indicating whether a traveler's luggagehas been opened using a fastener that must be broken in order to accessthe inside compartment of the traveler's luggage 900, 910, 920, 930.First, a tamper proof fastener is provided for each luggage tag 800.Next, the tamper proof fasteners are associated with the closedcompartments of the traveler's luggage 910. The tamper proof fastenerscan be made of wire loops and one or more can be attached to the closedcompartments of the traveler's luggage 920. Finally, when the wire loopsare severed, the traveler is notified that the luggage compartment hasbeen opened 930.

FIG. 10 displays a method for associating personalized indicia luggagetag components. This method includes fitting the luggage tags withpersonalized indicia together utilizing a snapping mechanicalinterference fit locking process, a hook and loop construction or otherfitting method 1000. The luggage tag component pieces can be associatedto each piece of a traveler's luggage to form a common set of travelerpersonalized indicia 1010 which is then associated with one or moretravel profiles 1020.

FIG. 11 displays a method for associating locator codes to correspondingpassengers in order to track a traveler's luggage. This method includesassociating a locator code with one or more common sets of a traveler'spersonalized indicia 1100. Next, a matching identification securitycheckpoint could be established as a means of authorization for thetraveler 1110. Finally, the common set of personalized travel indiciaand travel profile can be matched with the authorization means 1120.

In summary, the baggage identification locator systems and methodsdescribed herein can be seen as comprised of five parts. First, there isthe travel kit apparatus which resembles a travel wallet. Second are theluggage tags portraying the traveler's personalized indicia. The luggagetags also contain the luggage identifier code (LIC), which allows thethird component of the baggage identification locator systems andmethods, the software, to identify and track the correspondingtraveler's luggage. Tamper proof mechanisms notify the traveler thattheir luggage has been opened. Finally, the hardware component orcomputer system of the baggage identification locator systems andmethods allows the software to run and also provides the infrastructurefor ensuring the traveler's luggage security and location.

The above illustration provides many different embodiments orembodiments for implementing different features of the invention.Specific embodiments of components and processes are described to helpclarify the invention. These are, of course, merely embodiments and arenot intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to belimited to the details shown, since various modifications and structuralchanges may be made therein without departing from the spirit of theinvention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construedbroadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention, asset forth in the following claims.

1. A computer program product embedded in a computer readable medium forproviding baggage identification locator methods, comprising: programcode for attaching one or more luggage tags with a predetermined uniqueindicia to each item of luggage; program code for associating saidluggage tags physically to each item of luggage by having a similarimage or complementary shape such that a person can easily recognize theassociated luggage; program code for associating one or more travelerindicia with one or more sets of personalized attributes; program codefor associating said one or more personalized attributes with a travelprofile; and program code for associating said luggage tags with atravel profile.
 2. A computer program product according to claim 2,further comprising: program code providing one or more tamper prooffasteners to the one or more luggage tags; program code for associatingsaid one or more tamper proof fasteners to one or more closedcompartments of said items of luggage; program code for providing one ormore wire tie support loops for indication that said items of luggagehave been opened; and program code for severing said wire tie loop toindicate that the luggage has been opened.
 3. A computer program productaccording to claim 3, further comprising: program code for associatingsaid one or more component pieces to said one or more items of luggageto form a common set of traveler indicia; program code for associatingsaid common set of traveler indicia to one or more traveler profiles;program code for associating a common set of traveler indicia with oneor more items of luggage; program code for providing a locator codeassociating with one or more common set of traveler indicia; programcode for providing a matching identification security checkpointauthorization means for a traveler; and program code for matching saidauthorization means with a traveler profile and a common set travelerindicia.